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Don't know if anyone is interested but Ancestry UK is free all this weekend, Friday to Monday inclusive. I shall be having a look on Friday, thats if I can see straight after a few celebratory G & Ts tomorrow.

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Rowlf, how did you discover it was free this weekend?
Is it free to all or do we have to sign up to a free trial?

Retlaw, we have had the free use in the past and the most important thing is to cancel in good time. The small print said we had to cancel 2 days before the free trial ended otherwise we would be charged.

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You do not have to sign up for anything. They have these weekends now and again and it is completely free. I have taken advantage of them . I shall be do this time too . I have only had couple of birthday glasses at lunchtime so should not have a problem focusing tomorrow.

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Find my Past have these free weekends now and again too.

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I have just tried it and it asked for my card details. No chance

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Thats because it doesnt start till tomorrow. It is Friday,Saturday,Sunday and Monday. so have another look tomorrow. Trust me it will be free on those days.

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I have to agree with Retlaw. Be wary of free offers. Though ages ago I did take advantage of a free two-week offer from Ancestry, don't think they asked for my card details (that would have put me off straight away) but I cancelled after one week to make sure I didn't go past the 2 weeks and thus start owing them a subscription.

The Library here gives free access to Ancestry but only for one hour a day - not long enough to find out much, though better than nothing.

Anyway, I think that personally I have come to a dead end (pardon the pun) with the research of his lot and mine. Gone back a long way, even Ancestry can't tell me more. Ancestry is a mine of information and very useful but it pays to remember that if you access family trees other people have developed the true facts are not always as written - so much has been copied from others without it being authenticated. Watch for dates that don't make sense, for instance.

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Load of rubbish. I went on to search my wife's record and her date of birth was 3 months later than her actual birth. On my eldest son's record my wife's maiden was spelt wrong. If you want to go any further into it you have to give your card details.

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It is indeed free access at the moment and no card details are required.
If you want to take up their free trial, you have to give your credit card details but we had no problems. As I mentioned earlier, it states in the small print that you have to cancel the subscription at least 2 days before it expires.

As for the accuracy of the information, you have to do a bit of detective work and double check everything. Most of the information is gathered from Parish records which have been transcribed by volunteers. Quite often, those Parish records are difficult to read and the wrong information is transcribed.

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As you say Morecambe Ex Pat it is free with no card details required. As I said previously they have these weekends now and again. It is totally different to the 2 weeks free trial.

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Thankyou Rowlf for the information. I have just spent a mindboggling morning tracing ancestors of my paternal grandfather. It was interesting and I have gone back to the 1860s and found branches of the family no-one knew anything about.
I have it all written down and I am going to enlighten my mother.
I might just have a go at her side of the family over the weekend.
I only gave them my e-mail address(and a shadow one at that...where most of my spam goes) so it has been a good diversion on a day too miserable to do much else.

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I am glad you have had a fruitful search Margaret. I have spend a couple of hours too but
I am looking in the 1700 and it is difficult. I hope your mother enjoys your finds. It is surprising what you can find out. I find it fascinating.

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Me too...especially as those who would have been able to furnish me with some answers are no longer with us to ask.
I have managed to go back to my great great great Grandfather on my dads side.
Found out when some of them married and where....and is quite addictive.

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If by chance they were from Lancashire the Lancashire Parish Records which you will find on www.parishregister.co.uk .Most of the records are C of E but there are some R.C. .They ofcourse go back further than the FreeBMD as the records there only begin in Sept 1837.There is also LancashireBMD. Both of these websites are free.

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Well i had a go, just submitted my e-mail,and name etc, put in me dads name and were born and search, it said no-one of that name listed,utter rubbish asking me to submit a different name/spelling.when it was 100% correct, so stuff em.:(

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I did that too, but with a bit of tweaking it brought up pages and pages of results.
In fact I have segs on my behind from sitting and googly eyes from scanning the results.
Using the site takes a little getting used to Cashy.

Rowlf, most of the info I already had was from the Parish registers and the BMD website.
I have not been able to access census details before...but today I have.
The census details have filled in a lot of the gaps in the info I had, and I have been able to go back to the mid 1800s.
Really enjoyed it in a sadistic sort of way.

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All well n good Margaret, but if yeh enter correct details, i'm not of the mind to have to fiddle about, if i had paid fer service like that,i would be livid.

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I don't need to search according to most folk I meet I'm a Barstuared and come from a long line of ancestors that plied the same trade!

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Well 'most folk' are wrong Less. Everybody has grand parents and great grand parents even if they were not married or whatever. I still find it interesting to find out who they were and what they did for a living and where they lived.

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I am glad you were able to find things out from the census Margaret. It can help a lot to know where they came from and what occupation they had. (No lay abouts in days gone by)

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Retlaw, I fell into the research by accident(if you can call it that)

My niece in Australia had started trying to research both her mothers past and her husbands too(he was,by all accounts) descended from seafaring stock who were on the transport ships taking criminals to the colonies.

Then I started out trying to find out something about my side of the family.
My Ma was under the impression that her father was South African, but it turned out he was from a large Lincolnshire family(but he had spent much of his life out in SA).

My research has also shown that many of the weddings were 'shotgun' affairs...with babies arriving just a few months after the nuptials.

I don't know how future generations will research their ancestors. Fewer of them seem to want to get married.

I am sad that I did not ask questions of my grand parents while they were alive, but when you are young you do not have any grasp on what you will want to know in the future.
My maternal Grandfather died when I was very young and my paternal grandmother died when I was nine.

I know exactly what you mean when you say that each time they update the websites they seem to make it harder.
I found that fewer details gave better results on Ancestry.
I had never before been able to look at the census details and these proved to be really interesting(though the copperplate was hard to read...but as you know I have a little bit of a head start in that department. Anyone who can read the writing of Doctors is going to be ahead of the game).
Yes there were some questionable results, but cross referencing details helped get to the info that was relevant.

I might do a bit more today.

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Do you not mean you are a Bar Steward?

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I don’t think many people did discuss family history years ago, Margaret. I certainly didn’t know much about mine. We watch the ‘Who Do You Think You Are’ series and this is also often the case with the people on these shows, they know very little about their ancestors.

I’m sure it’s addictive though and that there’s no cure once you catch the bug. I started off wanting to know just one detail that I was curious about, then when that was known it was just another and then another, and here I am some years and many, many, hours later, still addicted to finding out more. I do have a huge amount of information now both for him and for me, going back hundreds of years in some cases. But I want more!!!!

A bit of ‘detective’ work is required sorting out fact from fiction. Can be very rewarding, can be frustrating at times, but definitely enjoyable.

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I was using the local and ancient spelling of the word 'Barstuared' as what I had found on a free search somewhere.

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yes I think you are right Dotti.
Though I do remeber seeing old pictures of my grandma's relatives....and I am sure my grandma told me who they were, but I did not commit them to memory.
Asking Ma is hopeless she can't remember(sometimes that it) what she had for her dinner!

Yes you do need patience and some detective powers, but it is excercise for the old grey cells.

This morning I have found the ship that my husband went out to Australia on when he was a 'ten pound Pommie' in 1950.
I have also found his parents marriage record and his grandparents on both sides.
I am going to have to give it a bit of a rest as my bum is numb from sitting.
Very interesting...and yes the hope of finding a little bit more is tantalising

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Ancestry over here advertises that they can trace your ancestor(s) providing you give them a "DNA". The kit for a DNA is bought from them. My question is how can they trace your ancestors through this when all it can do is trace what tribe , area, ethnic group etc you came from, can trace a relative who was born in the early 1600's even the name and where they lived?.

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No Keith I don't think that is entirely true.
What they are saying is that they will trace where your ancestors came from in the world.
They will trace your ethnicity, not specifically your ancestors.
The work of tracing your own specific ancestors is down to you...you have to do the brainwork.

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What happens when both you and one of your 'children' send off for this DNA background and compare notes, discovering that in actual fact you aren't related at all?

Maybe better to love the child in ignorance than to discover the deceit of ones spouse?
:eek:

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I realize what they mean but this is not reeflected in their adverts which gives people (mainly females - tonque in cheek) the wrong impression. But then again nothing can be done officially to them because they have not made a false statement.

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In their advert they also say to put your name in and find your ancestors. Well I can tell you it is not that easy. As Margaret rightly said you have to do the brainwork. The' Who do you think you are' television series also gives a wrong impression as it shows people getting birth,marriage and death certificates and census images very easily and anyone starting to look for their own family will find it is hard work.

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You are spot on there, Rowlf. The people who take part in 'Who Do You Think You Are' have had all the heavy work done for them. Everything has been laid out for them, records are produced immediately they are asked for (and we all know how long it takes to search such things in the real world).

Experts in the field have done the research for them, they just have to go along with it. Have to say though that I really enjoy watching the show, find it (usually) very interesting, but from personal experience I know that information doesn't just happen like the show portrays. It takes a lot of time and research to find out anything at all, and frustrating when the information just isn't there.

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Also remember it's their job to make the show interesting, who is going to argue that their findings are true or fabricated. I watch one show where they told a film star that they were related to William the conqueror, a very interesting show but??

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Yes, it is an interesting show, but I think that if you have the nous to realise that all the stuff portrayed has probably been researched by a group of very experienced researchers with access to all areas and documentation, that is IS a show, it puts it into perspective.
Those ordinary folk who try to research their ancestors do not have the luxury of all the resources that the TV researchers have.
That said, it is still a very interesting and thought provoking pursuit.
You have to be prepared to follow lines of enquiry which result in either disappointment or dead end...but just now and then you have a 'eureka' moment which makes it all worthwhile(or is that because I am just a beginner?).

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Being able to waltz into the records office and have your own personal archivist locate the relevant documents, would be great if it was available in real life. No doubt it would be possible if you threw enough shillings at them.

The cost of certificates to prove your findings is also prohibitive to us mere mortals with limited budgets.

We took full advantage of the free access to census records, over Easter, and discovered a number of new people.

The main problem with genealogy is the more you discover, the more questions are raised, it becomes a never ending quest.

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That is so true.
You feel like you are just a finger tip away from finding the answers, but in truth,the answer poses more questions.
I also made good use of the free weekend and got so involved that I signed up for a six month subscription.
I am enjoying the mental challenges right now and have discovered much that I did not know.

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After tracing family trees for 30 years Margaret I think I have just a little "nous" and it doesn't matter how much money you throw at it some records are just not there.

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You are right Morecambe Ex Pat about certificates going up, They have increased by about 50% since I started getting them. The trouble is you needed them to find the maiden names of mothers on birth certs and fathers names on marriage certs and believe me that is essential when you are looking for Smiths !!

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I wasn't meaning that Ossy Kid...I was meaning that you have to have the nous to realise the conditions on this show are not like the ones which ordinary searchers encounter.
And yes, you are right, sometimes you hit a wall because there are no further documents to follow.

I know you are good researcher(from the help you have given people on here)and I envy your skills, but I know that these have been patiently acquired over those 30 years.

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n that if anyone claimed they could trace their family back to 1700 with absolute certanty, they were a damned good liar, the spelling in those days was enough to make you want to shoot yourself, and the number of John the son of John, whew let me out of here
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Some twenty five years ago I received a Family tree going back to 1604 which took a cousin of mine in Bolton quite a long time to do,

Fortunately she lived within 10 miles from where mostof my relos lived, she was able to visit the Parish Curch, graveyards even addresses that showed up on the Cencus.Thereby eabling herself to be sure that she had got the person. After she died her Son took the job up.

Seeing that I had such a good base I've found relations in Canada, New so yea there is a lot of work in it but look at the reards.Zealand and even here in Oz. which increases the size from 350 to over 600. But look at the rewards

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Yes Retlaw, you are right about the not thinking in straight lines, and also about the writing.
Those Bishops transcripts are very hard to read...even to someone like me with practice at illegible writing.
It also gets very confusing when children have died and the next child (of the same gender)is named after the deceased...and some of the records do not let you look at the actual document. They only let you look at what someone has transcribed.(not to be trusted, I try to find corroborative evidence from elsewhere)
On one of my relatives they are transcribed as Bratcliffe when they were actually called Ratcliffe. Being able to look at the actual document which also has the parents on it made the difference to me accepting or discarding the information.

So yes, I have still a very long way to go to achieve the skills and knowledge that you and Ossy Kid have. It is something I can aspire to( even though I haven't got the years ahead of me that you both had).
The salt cellar stands at my right hand alongside a very large box of patience:)

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And then there is that trick our ancestors played on us where they add another name.
So you will be looking for John and it will be down as John Thomas.
I found this with one of my relatives.
So how do I know that he is the same person...well on the census a decade later he is there...with this additional name at the same address, with the same parents and another two siblings and grandma.
I think their houses had elastic sides.

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Thank you Retlaw...I haven't gone quite as far back as when the calendar changed in 1752...but I am getting close to it.
I haven't been doing this for very long(though I have'dabbled' to help others in the past)but already I have gone down a few long lanes and found myself in entirely the wrong place.

I try to have more than one source of evidence(not always possible) before I can definitely say that their leaf belongs on my tree.
It has been strange at times because very infrequently I find someone born in Epping ending up in a Clayton line.
Then I looked at the occupations...the chap in question was an engine driver on the early railways.
Another one of our ancestors on Ma's side was a travelling showman...so he pops up on the census in a few different places.

It is certainly entertaining, but also brain fagging too.

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Find My Past have free access to some of their records Friday,Saturday,Sunday and Monday this weekend.

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Ooh...I will make the most of that Thank you Rowlf.

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Actually it is from today so 5 days not 4 as I said. Sorry. So you can get cracking tonight Margaret.

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I am not sure if it will have different information to that which is on Ancestry, but it is certainly worth a look.
I will have to leave it tonight, I have a few birthday cards I have been asked to make.
But....tomorrow, I will be making the most of it.

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Findmypast is free to use 22nd June to 26th June inclusive if anyone is interested.

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Tried them before. According to them I don't excist

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Worked for me ...Thanks Rowlf

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terms and conditions too long to read, so aint gonna bother.

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There is a knack to this searching for relatives....and beware it can be very addictive.

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Cashy there are terms and conditions to most things.
I took advantage of the last FREE spell, but found there was nothing more than could be found on Ancestry.

I really enjoyed finding out about my ancestors...but it is very time consuming, mind boggling and addictive

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I know that but its near a book, i wont be around long enough to bother wi that lot. :D

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Cashy most terms and conditions are exactly the same.
I am sure that MOST people do not read them fully.
I just gor new terms and conditions for my house insurance....and it WAS a book...fortunately for me, they had included a small pamphlet about what has changed so I did not need to go through the whole thing.

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Yeh but you probably have a memory Margaret? i refuse to go into owt i dont understand so too long T@C is a big no-no to me.;)

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Honestly Cashy you do not need to read all the terms and conditions. Just go on the website and click on what you want to find i.e. birth,marriage,death or census and then type in the name of the person. Give it a go with your parents or grandparents names to familiar yourself with the system and see where it takes you. Like Margaret said it can be addictive though. It is certainly fascinating.

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Oh i do or i would moider oer being suckered, its the way i am.;)

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If you don't read them you don't know what your agreeing too, for all you know you could be agreeing to giving up your second child as a sacrifice to them

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I am chary if they want credit card details

As for signing up to give them my second child.....that would be interesting..I am still waiting to have my second child.
When I do...it will make the papers. For a variety of reasons.

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if its free why do they want card details. was interested but not anymore.

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NO...they do not want your credit card details....some FREE trials require credit card details, but this is a FREE 4 day period(22nd - 26th of June) ...no strings attached.

What I was saying was that I was Chary over such offers if they wanted my credit card details...but they don't, so go ahead and try it.
I used a similar FREE long weekend on Ancestry earlier in the year.
It was really very good, but you can get addicted.
I found out a lot about my side of the family and also the other half's family too